It may be time to retire

... from half marathons, anyway.

This past Saturday was the Rock On! Lake Perry spring trail runs, which included a 5K, 13.1 miles and a 50K. I chose to do the half because I didn't feel like I was running enough and needed something for which to train.

I chose a trail run because I really like the Kansas City Trail Nerd Events; they do a really good job and profits are generally put right back into the trails. I also figured it would be a service to my knees ... you know, take it easy on them for once.

I'm always a little self-conscious when I first come to a race; it's not as if everyone shows up in Wonder Woman costumes. But after I got all my gear on and wandered around, I got multiple "Love your outift"s, and that always eases my nerves.

All Wonder Woman-ed up and ready to go ... I guess ...

I also ran into a person I knew, sort of a friend of a friend and it was good to catch up with him and learn the exciting news of his growing family. He was one of the crazies who was doing the 50K. Actually, after doing the half, I may want to call him insane.

In any case, trail runs are a bit more relaxed, which I totally enjoy, and as we started, I just crossed my fingers that I wouldn't crash on the trails again (SPOILER: I didn't!).

The race itself was tough. It was a humid, overcast day, with threats of storms on Friday never happening and more threats forecasted for the afternoon. I didn't quite realize how humid it was until I was dripping sweat less than 3 miles in. But, it was a trail race, so you just take your time, walk the hills and try your best. I found myself at the tail end of the pack, playing leap frog with a woman who was going to tell her son that she got to run with Wonder Woman, and catching a few others for awhile, then losing them and then catching them again (or vice versa). Things seemed to be going okay until about mile 10. At that point, I just wanted to stop. There was actually a part in the course where there was a short but steep downhill and I just stopped and stared at it. Then I said, "I don't wanna go down this!" Literally. I said that outloud.

But, I kept on, running when I could, walking when I was too tired. This race had really taken it all out of me. The last 1.5 miles, I was completely out of water because I stupidly hadn't refilled my less than half empty bottle at the last aid station, and when I came upon a main station, I was told I just had to go "up the hill" and then I was done.

ANOTHER HILL?!!??!

I sighed, and turned to go up the hill.  Jog, walk, jog, walk, damnit I just want to be done, so I jogged, caught the guy in front of me and said, come on, let's finish this last little bit. Then as I came upon the finish line, I remembered I had to run in backwards, so I did.

And then I was done. I was hot, sweaty, tired, and done. Done with the race and done with half marathons. They have always been my kryptonite and I have no clue why I keep doing them. I have some unfinished business with a few around Kansas City, but the business will stay unfinished.

There were hot dogs, potato salad, chips and watermelon for everyone. The gentleman serving asked me if I wanted a Superdog; I laughed and said just for the moment I wanted watermelon. So I had a few slices, then a few more and some chips. Then, I got some Nuun from my car and added it to my water, changed out of my sweaty clothes and finally got the Superdog.

I was super exhausted. Somehow, I made it home, gave Jeff some attention and then tortured myself with this:

Ice bathing might be the most masochistic thing I've ever done.

When I survived that and was all showered, I rewarded myself with a nap, and then some of this:

Smithwicks in a Kilkenny glass. Irish all the way.

Not that I'm not glad that I did the race; it was a huge mental and physical challenge for me and it certainly kicked my ass, but I still won, because I gave all I had and I finished. I just don't want to do another one again. I'll stick with my 5ks and maybe even a 10k on the trails .... and on the roads.

Swag:

Gratuitous Jeff photo:

If a runner falls alone on the trails, she DOES make a sound

Sunday was my last day for a long run on the trails before the trail half marathon next week.

Tangent: This marathon has really made me crazy. Before the marathon, I never would have signed up for any type of half marathon with only a month to go. Now, I totally get all you crazy people that do spur of the moment races. I'm also one of you.

It was a lovely morning, which was particularly wonderful because it had been raining for most of the week. It's amazing to wear shorts and a tank top after a week of long pants and jackets! 

I had never run on the SMP trails before, so this was an entirely new experience. Luckily, the trails are extremely well marked, with maps at every point each of the 4 different loops meet each other. 
The trails are also just beautiful. 

I enjoyed the trails for about an hour and a half, meeting the occasional runner and mountain biker, but mostly startling squirrels and picking up dust in my socks. It was pure bliss, so much so that I started to space off and think about other stuff. I don't even really know what I was thinking about but all the sudden, there was a THUD! and an "Aaaaaaayeeeaaaahhhhhh" and before I knew I was on the ground.

I like to think my descent to the ground was graceful, but I'm pretty sure it looked like this:

Luckily, I managed to fall to the side rather than right on my front.

I laid there in shock for a few minutes and then I realized I should get up in case someone heard my yelp and wanted to make sure I was okay. 

(for the record, no one heard, but I guarantee I still made that sound) 
 
I assessed the damage, rinsed off scrapes with my water and continued on. Luckily, I only had about 30 minutes left, so I took it easy, walking during the rocky parts and trying to not space off so much. I tripped again, but caught my self. Goodness.

When I got back to my car, I was glad I had at least brought some baby wipes to clean things up a bit.
And here are the battle wounds that I came away with:

Pretty black and blue today.

I only hope that if I fall on Saturday, I don't tear my Wonder Woman costume. That will just be the worst.